Why do you want a stupid-sharp knife?

[Chris "Anagarika"]

As many has stated, once there, maintenance is not actually that difficult or long, if no chipping or major rolling happens.

Usually I leave my knives as they are, after being used, with occassional stropping just to keep them there. Once in a while, take them back to 1000 or 1500 sandpaper and stropping. Only takes half hour for 3 knives.

I like them sharp, but not always whittling sharp. Only when the job needs it, I put effort to redo the edge.

 

[knarfeng]

I don't go for highly polished edges. For the types of cutting I normally do and with the alloys I prefer (Those with carbides) I don't need a highly polished edge. I often use a Sharpmaker. When I do, I usually stop after using the flats of the coarse stones.

Howsoever, if you like a polished edge, go for it.

I do pretty much the same on my Sharpmaker, but about 25-50% of the time I run a blade across the edge of the white ceramics. Nothing overly elaborate and most times I can slice paper easily. Depends on my patience\interest that day.

All of mine will shave. All of mine will slice paper quite easily. They will not push cut newspaper. I don't feel the need of it.